Water heater having a water leakage sensing device

ABSTRACT

A water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device is provided. A flow control valve is disposed at an inlet and controls the flow rate of water flowing into the water heater. A leakage detecting device detects when water which has flowed in the water heater leaks out through pipes in the water heater due to burst of the pipes and is filled at or more than a predetermined level from the floor of a water heater case, and transmits a signal to a controller. A case protects parts in the water heater by shielding the parts from the outside. The controller controls a series of combustion processes and operation of the water heater, and closes the flow control valve, when a leakage detection signal is transmitted from the leakage detecting device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a water heater equipped with a leakage detecting unit, more particularly a water heater equipped with a leakage detecting unit that can detect leakage inside the water heater due to burst of pipes in the water heater.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, water heaters are apparatuses that detect the flow and flow rate of water which flows inside and ignite a heating device (hereafter, referred to as a ‘burner’), and supply hot water at a user-set temperature by transmitting heat of the burner to the water flowing into the water heater, using a heat exchanger.

As shown in FIG. 1, a common water heater includes a flow control valve 1 that is disposed at an inlet 10 and controls the flow rate of water flowing into the water heater, a flow sensor 2 that measures the flow rate of inflow water, an inflow water temperature sensor 3 that measures the temperature of water that has flowed inside through the inlet 10, a heat exchanger 4 that transfers heat of the burner to the water, which has flowed inside, to heat and pass the water at a predetermined temperature, an outflow water temperature sensor 5 that measures the temperature of the water that has flowed out of the heat exchanger, a controller 6 that has a display 7 for displaying the control condition of the water heater, and a sealing case 8 that protects parts by shielding the inside of the water heater.

In general, since the flow control valve 1 is connected with the inlet 10 and always open, the parts of the water heater and pipes connecting the parts are always filled with water under predetermined pressure, even if a user does not use hot water.

When some of the pipes in the water heater burst due to decrepitude of the parts, etc., the water that has flowed inside through the inlet 10 continuously comes out through the bursts in the pipes by pressure difference, such that the water heater case 8 is quickly filled with the water. Accordingly, not only do the parts (e.g., controller) of the water heater get wet and ruined, but the water may flow outside through the gaps of the water heater case 8. When the water leaks outside for a long period of time, water eventually collects on the floor where the water heater is installed, such that unexpected additional damage may occur.

Therefore, it is preferable, when the water is filled at a predetermined level in the water heater case 8 due to burst of the pipes in the water heater, to detect the fact and close the flow control valve 1, and stop the operation of the water heater if the water heater is in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Designed in consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device that is configured to be capable of, when water is filled at a predetermined level in a water heater case due to burst of pipes in the water heater, detecting the fact and closing a flow control valve, and stopping the operation of the water heater if the water heater is in operation.

A water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to the present invention, includes: a flow control valve that is disposed at an inlet and controls the flow rate of water flowing into the water heater; a leakage detecting device that detects when water which has flowed in the water heater leaks out through pipes in the water heater due to burst of the pipes and is filled at or more than a predetermined level from the floor of a water heater case, and then transmits a signal to a controller; a case that detects parts in the water heater by shielding the part from the outside; and the controller that controls a series of combustion processes and operation of the water heater, and closes the flow control valve, when a leakage detection signal is transmitted from the leakage detecting device.

Further, the controller stops the operation of the water heater, when the water heater is in operation.

Further, the water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device further includes a controller case that protects the controller, and the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that protrude toward the floor of a water heater case from the controller case and are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the floor of the hot water case.

Further, the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that are attached to the wall of the water heater case, at a predetermined distance from the floor of the water heater case.

Further, the controller includes a display that displays operational condition of the water heater, and displays an error message through the display, when leakage is detected by the leakage detecting device.

According to the present invention, when water is filled at a predetermined level in the water heater due to burst of pipes inside the water heater, the controller connected with the leakage detecting unit detects the leakage, closes the flow control valve and stops the operation of the water heater if the water heater is in operation, such that it is possible to prevent damage to the water heater itself due to burst of the pipes inside the water heater and corresponding second damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the configuration of a common water heater;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views illustrating the configuration of a water heater of the present invention, equipped with leakage detecting devices according to different embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating when water leaked inside a water heater is detected by a water level detecting sensor; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary control method, when leakage is detected in a water heater of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The configuration and operation of preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Giving reference numerals to components in the drawings herein, it is noted that the same components are designated by substantially the same reference numerals, even though they are shown in different drawings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views illustrating the configuration of a water heater 100 of the present invention, equipped with leakage detecting devices, in which FIG. 2 shows an embodiment equipped with a first leakage detecting device and FIG. 3 shows an embodiment equipped with a second leakage detecting device.

The water heater 100 includes a leakage detecting system (e.g. water level detecting sensors 9; 9 a, 9 b) connected with a controller 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the water level detecting sensor 9 is composed of two water level detecting rods 9 a, 9 b that protrude toward the floor of a water heater case 8 from the inside of the controller 6 and are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the floor of the hot water case. However, the sensors may be implemented in various ways as long as they can detect the water level in the hot water case 8. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a sensor that is attached to the wall of the water heater case, at a predetermined distance from the floor of the water heater case 8, may be applied.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the leakage detecting device can be modified in various ways, other than the above configuration, as long as it can detect water that has leaked out of pipes, etc. in the water heater and filled at a predetermined level in the water heater case 8.

As shown in FIG. 4, when water leaks out through pipes due to burst of the pipes, etc. in the water heater and filled at the level of a water level detecting sensor 9, electric current flows through the two water level detecting rods 9 a, 9 b and an electric signal is transmitted to the controller 6. When the leakage is continuously detected for a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds), the controller closes a flow control valve 1. Requiring that the leakage is continuously detected for a predetermined time is for preventing the flow control valve 1 from being unexpectedly closed by temporary malfunction of the sensor. In this operation, an order of stopping the water heater is simultaneously given, when the water heater is in operation.

As the flow control valve 1 is closed, the water no longer flows into the water heater through an inlet 10, nor does any water leak after the water that has already flowed in the hot water is discharged.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the water heater itself, that is, the parts inside the water heater are wet and ruined, and secondary damage.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary control method, when leakage is detected in a water heater of the present invention.

First, it is determined whether the water level detecting sensor 9 detects leakage (S10).

When leakage is detected, a leakage detecting timer is set to 3 seconds and turned on (S20).

Next, it is determined whether the leakage is continuously detected while the time set by the timer passes (S30).

When leakage is not continuously detected while the time set by the timer has passed, the process returns to step S10.

When leakage is continuously detected while the time set by the timer has passed, the flow control valve 1 is closed and an error message is displayed by a display 7 (S40).

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be changed and modified in various ways, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The present invention as described above can maximally reduce secondary damage, even if leakage occurs, in apparatuses, such as a boiler and a water heater, which supply hot water at a user-set temperature by transferring heat of a burner to water, using a heat exchanger. 

1. A water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device, comprising: a flow control valve that is disposed at an inlet and controls the flow rate of water flowing into the water heater; a leakage detecting device that detects when water which has flowed in the water heater leaks out through pipes in the water heater due to burst of the pipes and is filled at or more than a predetermined level from the floor of a water heater case, and then transmits a signal to a controller; a case that protects parts in the water heater by shielding the parts from the outside; and the controller that controls a series of combustion processes and operation of the water heater, and closes the flow control valve, when a leakage detection signal is transmitted from the leakage detecting device.
 2. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the controller stops the operation of the water heater, when the water heater is in operation.
 3. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller case that protects the controller, wherein the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that protrude toward the floor of the water heater case from the controller case and are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the floor of the hot water case.
 4. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that are attached to the wall of the water heater case, at a predetermined distance from the floor of the water heater case.
 5. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a display that displays the operational condition of the water heater, and displays an error message through the display, when leakage is detected by the leakage detecting device.
 6. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 2, further comprising a controller case that protects the controller, wherein the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that protrude toward the floor of the water heater case from the controller case and are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the floor of the hot water case.
 7. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the leakage detecting device includes two water level detecting rods that are attached to the wall of the water heater case, at a predetermined distance from the floor of the water heater case.
 8. The water heater equipped with a leakage detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the controller includes a display that displays the operational condition of the water heater, and displays an error message through the display, when leakage is detected by the leakage detecting device. 